Shock-absorbing mechanism



J. F. OCONNOR A SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM Sept. 25, 1928. 1,685,176

Filed Aug. 30, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 25, 192s. 1 685,176

v J. F. ocoNNoR SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 30, 1926 2Sheets-Sheet 2 fig Patented sept. z5, 1928. 1,685,176

UNITED STA rais; er ele-fries.

JOHN F. ocoNNoR, or cir-immo, nLmoisasslenoa'row- 11 Minna; rnc., orCHICAGO, Immers, A conroRA-Trou or nELAWARE.

SHOCKABS'ORBINGJ M'ECHANIS'M'.

Application filed August 30, 1926. Serial No. 13,2,.4'82l.

This invention relates to shock' absorbing ends being secured togetherbyy means of mechanism. A Y spacedV plates Hand 15disposed'at'thelupv Anobject of this invention is to prfovidea pri and lower surfaces thereof,the plate 1.14` shock absorbing mechanism more partioubeing partyoftlie'afxle housing indicated'atA b larly adapted to be applied tomotor Vehicles, 1'6, said axle housing being held in position Si such asbusses and the like, withoutl the ne'-v bythe bearing-members; indicatedat 17, the cessity for altering the usual construction latter togetherwith the'pla'tes' Hand 15b@v thereof or mutilating the same'in aninjurious' infr held in position 'by b'olts indicated at 1'8. manner.`ln carrying out the invention the upper A further objectA of theinvention is to ends of the holding member 17 are hollowed 61'* providea shock absorbing device comprising out as indicated at 19 to providebearings a mechanism adapted to be aiixed to the' for a ball 20' ony anangular' extension 21 chassis and axle housing of the vehicle and formedintegrally with the'ofi'lset connectincluding a `tandem springarrangement ing portion 22. ofthe plunger 23. The ball adapted to co-actwith friction meansto af- 20 is providedwith a bore 24 flared from an 6rford a combined `maximum resilient -and) intermediate pointtowards'yitsop'posite ends. frictional resistance in opposite directionsand adapted for.thea'ccommodation cfa bolt against shock due to relativemovement-be- 25'v extending therethrough, and through ,they tween saidaxle and chassis, and wherein the upper end kportions oftheliolding'in'embers 20 device automatically, adjusts itself for use 17,thereby'providing what is in effect a uni 7 in connectionwith vehiclesof di'erent types. versal connection with the spring' assem-` Otherandfurther objects ofthe invention bly 12. Y Will more clearly appear fromthe descrip- The portion 22 of the plunger' 23 is voit-setn tion andclaims hereinafter following. as shown for the Vpurpose of clearing the25 `In the drawings, Figurelis a fragm'entarly frame member 11, theplunger 2 3 being' 7a side elevational view of an autemobi e adapted toreciprocate within a casing or' chassis, and the rear spring ofthevehicle, housing 26. Thev casing or housingA 26 is' showing :myinvention in connection there polygonal in cross section, as shown inFigi with. Figure 2 is atransverse vertical seoure 3 and closed at itsupper end, the'lovverl tional view ofthel` invention corresponding endof said housing being open, and' providedI S1, substantially to the line2 2 of Figure 1, with laterally extending vertical flanges and showingpartsof the construction in ele'- 27-27' adapted to be riveted to thelweb of vation.' Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional thevchassis member11, and with horizontal View through the shell or housing y.taken onflanges 2`8-28 riveted to the top iiangel of the the line 3 3 of Figure2. Figure fl isa horiframe member 11, 'the wall of the housing g5,zontal sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figbetween the Hanges 27-27extending downure l. Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective wardly' at theoutside of and in spaced reladetailed view of one of thev yoke, memberstion with reference to, the web of thev chanused in connection with theinvention. F ignel member 11, as shown, the outer surface' 40 ure'6 is avertical sectional view, similarto of said web and the inner surface ofthe ex- 90 Figure 2, on an enlarged scale, showing al tended wall of thehousing providingaguide-- somewhat diHerent embodiment of the inwaythrough which ythe off-set portion 22 of' vention. i the plungerextends. u Disposed in the ho'usY-v' Asshovvn in the drawings, 10represents a ing 26 is an angular member 29 havingV an side frame memberof the usual channel forangular portion 30 provided with an opening 95mation having a curved off-sot- 11, which is hI'OUgh Which the plunger23 @XndS the spanned by the ugual assemblyy 12 of leaf lower end of themember 29 bearingupon the springs secured to the frame or chassis mem-Op Harige 0f th@ frame ll- Y l Q, I ber 10 by suitableV shacklesindicated at The inner end of the plunger 23'1s'pro- 13'- 13, the'spring assembly intermediate its vided with a screw thread '31,1 andthreaded 104) upon the thread of the plunger is an annular nut 32.(3o-operating with the nut 32 are pairs of yoke members 33 and 34, eachof which is of elongated formation and provided at its opposite endswith inturned flanges 35 and 36, the exterior surface of each yokemember being angular in cross section as best shown in Figure 3, theyoke members 33 having the flanges 35 bearing upon the top surfaces ofthe nut 32, while the opposite Alianges 36 bear upon the lower end of acoiled spring 37 disposed about the threaded portion of the plunger 23whilethe opposite end of the spring 37 bears against the nut 32. Theyokes 34 have their lower ianges 36 bearing against the under surface ofthe nut 32, while the opposite {ianges 35 provide means against whichthe upper end of the spring 38 bears, the opposite end of said springbearing against the nut 32, being seated upon the flanges 35 of theyokes 33, while the spring 37 rests against the anges 36 of the yokes34.

In operation, relative movement between the spring assembly 1.2 and theframe mem ber l0 will effect corresponding movement of the plunger 23,and assuming said movement to be such as to reciprocate the plunger 23upwardly, said movement is transmitted to the nut 32, which carriestherewith the yokes 33 compressing the spring 37 again st the bottomanges of the yokes 34, while the upward move-ment of the yokes 33compresses the spring 28 against the upper flanges 35 of the yokemembers 34 which in turn bear against the closed end of the housing,this movement resulting in rotation of the nut which is resisted by thefrictional engagement of the ends of the yokes which in turn arecushioned by the resilient elements, bringing about a combinedfrictional resistance aided by the combined effect of the springs 37 and33, thereby cushioning the shock in a simple and effective manner. Thereciprocation of thek plunger 23 in the opposite direction effects 'a4reversal of the movements above described, downward movements of theyckes 33 being prevented by abutment with the stop 29 provided in thehousing. lf there is a change in the relative position of axle andchassis, due to a change in weight, the nut 32 will automatically takeup acentral position, each spring having the same overall length.

Referring now to Figure 6 there is sho-wn a somewhat differentembodiment of the invention. In this construction there provided amember 50 bolted to the spring assembly 5l, said member being providedwith an opening to permit the passage theretlirony1 of the aXle housing52, said axle housing being prog vided with a seat 53 which projectsinto the chamber 54 formed by tie upper end of the holding member 50. yA pad of rubber 55 is disposed on the seat 53, and on the upper surfaceof the rubber there is provided a steel plate 56. A plunger 57 isprovided with an enlarged head 58 having convex inner and outersurfaces, the outer surface being adapt` ed to bear upon the plate 56,and the oppositesurface being adapted to bear upon a plate 5S) which inturn bears against a rubber pad 60. The pad 60 bears against the undersurface of the top w all of the housing provided by the member 5()7 saidtop wall having an aperture. 61 through which extends the shank of theplunger 57 the aperture 6l being sui'iiciently large to permit somelateral movement of the plunger 57. 'lhe plunger 57 extends throughsuitable apertures in the frame 62. The frame 62 is in the form of theusual channel member, and disposed between the flanges of the channelmember is a filler block 63 having an opening therein for the passage ofthe plunger 57, the filler block being riveted to the web of thechannelmember 62- a-s indicated at 64. The plunger 57 has its upper endthreaded, and threaded on the upper end of the plunger 57 is a nut 65which is preferably square in cross section, said nut being mounted forreciprocation in a housing 66 which is also square in cross section. Thehousing 66 rests upon the upper iiange of the channel member 62, and hasan extension 6T, by which the same is secured in position, the samerivets being employed for this purpose which are utilized for securingthe filler block in position. A coiled spring- 68 is interposed betweenthe closed top of the housing 66 and the nut 65, a suitable washer 69being interposed between the inner end of the spring 63 and the topsurface of the nut 65. A coiled spring 70 similar to the spring 68 isinterposed between the lower surface of the nut and the top flange ofthe member r62, a washer 7l being interposed between the upper end ofthe spring 7 O and the bottom surface ofthe nut 65.

In operation upon relative movement between the spring assembly 5l andthe' frame member 62 reciprocation of the,l plunger 57 is brought about.Assuming said reciprocation to be in an upward direction, due to thethreaded connection of the plunger with the nut which is slidably butnon-rotatably held in the housing 66 rotation of the plunger 5'? will beeffected, and during this action longitudinal movement of said plungerwill be resisted by the spring 68. Movement of the plunger in thereverse direction will effect a reversal of this action.

While I have herein shown and described what I consider the preferredmann-er carrying out the invention, the same is merely illustrative, andI contemplate all changes and modifications which come within the scopeof the claims appended hereto.

l claim:

l. ln a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination withrelatively movable members; of a shell connected to one of said members,and a plunger connected to the hui Litt

other member and extending into said shell; bearing means in said shellagainst which said plunger bears; yicldable means adapted to provideresistance at opposite sides of said bearing means: and means tor sinmltneously flexing said .viel-dable means upon movement ot said plunger inopposite directions to attord resistance to the travel thereot'.

Q. ln a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination withrelativelv movable nieml'iers; ot a shell connected to one ot sai-.lmembers, and a plunger connected to the other membe and extending intosaid shell; bearing means in said shell against wbieo. said plungerbears; vieldable means adapted to provide resistance at opposite sidesot said bearing means; and means tor simultaneously flexing saidyieldable means upon movement of said plunger in opposite directions toaliord resistance to the travel thereof, said. bearing' means and saidplunger being relativelxv movable and having means produeing i'rietionalresistance upon relative movement therebetween.

3. ln a triction shock absorbing mechanism of the character described,the combination with relatively movable members; ot a shell connected toone of said members, and a plunger connected to the other of said memberand extending into said shell: means in said shell against which saidplunger bears. said means and said plunger having a threaded connectionand arranged to have reiative movement; vieldabl means bearing againstopposite sides of said bearing means and against tixcd portions ot saidshell: and means tor simultaneously iexing said yieldable means uponmovements ot said plunger in opposite directions.

fl. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism. the combination with atrame member and spring member ot a vehicle; ot a housing atitixed toone of said men'ibcrs. ind a plunger atlixed to the other ot saidmembers and exn tending into said housing; a nut mounted in said housingand threaded on said plunger, said plunger and said nut being arrangedto have relative me'ivement with respect to each other; and yieldablemeans arranged in said housing and lieariug upon opposite sides ot saidnut.

5. ln a shock absorbing mechanism ot the character described. thecombination with a frame `member and spring member; of a housing atiiiedto one ot' said members and a plunger element atiixed to the other ofsaid members, said plunger element and said other member having ayconnection permitting limited lateral moveznent ot said plunger ele-yment in various directions: a tln'eaded element in said housing having athreaded connection with said plunger element: means tor maintaining oneot said elements against rotation during reciproeation ot said plungereier zent; and yieldable means arranged at opposite sides of saidthreaded element toprovide resistance to movement thereof Within saidhousing.

(i. In a shock absorbing mechanism for automobiles, the combination withthe 'trame and spring member for directly supportim;I tbe vehicle trame;ot' a housingatlixed to said trame and extending' above the same, saidhousing being closed at the top and open at. the bottom; a plungerconnected to said spring member below said trame and extending abovesaid trame, into said housing, the portion ot said plunger within saidhousing being threaded; a nut held against rotation in said housing andthreaded on said plunger; and resilient means arranged at opposite sidesot said nut in said hous` ig' and adapted to bear thereon.

T. In a shock absorbing mechanism for au` tomobiles, the combinationwith the trame and spring member thereof; of a housingv aftixed to saidtrame and extending above the same, said housing beingl closed at thetop and open at the bottom; a plunger connected to said spring memberbelow said trame and extending` above said trame, into said housing, theportion ot said plunger within said housing being threaded; a nut insaid housing threaded on said plunger; and resilient means arranged atopposite sides of said nut in said housing and adapted to bear thereon,a portion ot said plunger being` ott-set to clear said frame.

8. In a shock absorbing mechanism of the Character described, thecombination with a frame member and a spring member; ot a housingaffixed to said trame member, said housingr being arranged substantiallyin line with said trame member; a plunger having' a connection with saidspring member to permit lateral movement in various directions, saidplunger extending upwardly into said housing, and having a threadedportion; a nut disposed in said housing and threaded on said plunger;and yieldable means arranged at opposite sides ot said nut and bearingthereon and against fixed portions of said housing and a portion of saidframe.

9. In a .shock absorbing mechanism ot` the character described. thecombination with a trame member and spring member; ot" a housing atiixedto one ot' said members and a plunger connected to the other of saidmembers, said plunger extending:r into said housing; an element in saidhousing threaded on said plunger; yoke means having opposite endportions bearing upon opposite sides oi ,said threaded clement; andyieldable means disposed at opposite sides of said threaded member andarranged between the opposite surfaces ot said threaded member and theadjacent portions ot said yoke means.

l0. Tn a shock al'isorbing mechanism of the character described, thecombination with a trame member and spring member; of a hous- Ult' ingaffixed to one of said members and a plunger connected to the other ofsaid members7 said plunger extending into said housing; an element insaid housing threaded on said plunger; yoke means having opposite endportions bearing upon opposite sides ot' said threaded element; andyieldable means disposed at opposite sides of said threaded member andarranged between the opposite surfaces of said threaded member and theadjacent portions of said yoke means, said housing being polygonal incross section and Said yokes fitting in said housing to prevent rotationthereof, said yokes having surfaces arranged to permit rotation of saidthreaded member.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto Subscribed my namethis 19th day ot August, 1926.

JOHN F. OCONNOR.

